Baselworld 2016 kicks this week, taking place in Switzerland from March 17—24. All this week and next Whitewall will be showcasing highlights from watchmakers and their newest and most novel timepieces. Next up are offerings from Patek Philippe and Fabergé.
Patek Philippe
Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe showcased its incredible precision and engineering expertise with the debut of its most complicated unlimited wristwatch: the Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300. The 47mm white gold case rotates on the hand-stitched black alligator strap to display dual faces, with 20 complications available between the two. A grande sonnerie rings by the quarter-hour, while a date repeater chimes the day of the month at the push of a button; the day of the week, the month, and the moon phase are also among the numerous visual functions of the watch. Originally designed as a hand-engraved, limited-edition in 2014, the Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300 enjoys a streamlined, hand-guillochéd exterior without losing any of its original mechanical complexity, with a total of 1,366 pieces interlocking to create this intelligent timepiece.
Fabergé Visionnaire DTZ. Courtesy of Fabergé.
Fabergé
Russian jewelry house Fabergé mastered the dual time zone display with its bold new timepiece: the Fabergé Visionnaire DTZ. Sleek and contemporary, the Visionnaire DTZ offers a clean, uncluttered display; a magnified dome at the center of the watch displays the hour in a distant location, engineered to be visible only when viewed from directly above. Minimalist hands orbit the central dome to indicate the local time, with clusters of lines radiating from the center like lines of longitude. Fabergé also includes a whimsical surprise hidden within the watch: an internal lever, forged into the company’s iconic peacock, pecks at wheat with every hourly rotation. A 43mm case, crafted from titanium and a choice of rose or white gold, sits on an alligator strap, adding a final luxurious touch to this handsome timepiece.
Baselworld 2016 takes place from March 17—24.
Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300. Front view. Courtesy of Patek Philippe.
